Select Team Offense: The 22 Set

The 22 Set: Level of Play Level of Play The 22 or 2-2-2 offense is a perfect fit for youth teams because of its simplicity and spacing. It is also extremely effective at the middle school and youth levels.

The 22 Set: Set Up Set-up This offense utilizes the 2-2-2 formation which consists of two players up-top in front of the goal, two players on the crease, and two players behind the goal. Typically the players up-top are midfielders and the players behind the goal are attackmen. The players on the crease are, therefore, one attackman and one midfielder…

The 22 Set: Set Up Set Up (Continued) A1 and A2 start approximately 5-7 yards behind the goal and 5-7 yards to the left and right of the goal respectively. M1 and M2 start at the top of the restraining box and 5-7 yards to the left and right respectively. M3 and A3 start on the crease approximately 5-7 yards in front of the goal in line with the light and right goal posts.

A1 A2 A3 M3 M1 M2 The 22 Set (M1 Dodging)

The 22 Set: Execution Execution (General) This offense can start at any of the four locations: the high left wing (M1), the high right wing (M2), the back right corner (A1) and the back left corner (A2). The “22” is effective utilizing three different techniques: 1) Dodging from one of the four corners with appropriate off-ball movement. 2) Using an on-ball pick between M1 and M2 or A1 and A2 to create confusion in the defense. And 3) Feeding the crease if either M3 or A3 are open.

Execution (General Continued) The 22 Set: Execution Execution (General Continued) Regardless of the above method of attack, the crease players always want to align themselves opposite the ball to maximize dodging space and create longer sides. If the ball is behind they want to be higher. If it is up top with the middies, they want to stay low.

Execution (If M1 Alley Dodges) The 22 Set: Execution Execution (If M1 Alley Dodges) If M1 starts the offense with a 1v1 alley dodge or a dodge “down the side”. M1 takes the shot if no defender slides and he is with in legitimate shooting range. A1 drifts out to create an outlet for M1. M2 slides to the middle of the field in case M1 rolls back and to create a skip-passing lane for A1. If a slide occurs, then A3 and M3 separate, find open area, and cut to the ball. M1 can feet A3 or M3, or he can throw to A1 who acts as an outlet.

A1 A2 A3 M3 M1 M2 The 22 Set (If M1 Alley Dodges)

The 22 Set (If M1 Alley Dodges) The midfielder dodging has a number of options in “22”. He can shoot if open and in range, he can feed M3 or A3 on the crease or he can throw to his outlets A1 ahead and M2 on the roll back. Many of these options appear open, but they are difficult plays. If a slide is drawn, the best play is to move the ball and let the next player make the more difficult feed. The 22 Set (If M1 Alley Dodges)

The 22 Set: Execution If M1 Throws To A1 If M1 throws to A1, then A3 and M3 want to “re-cut” to open area looking for a pass from A1. A1 has the option to feed A3 or M3 on the crease or throw a skip pass to M2 if open. If none of these options produce an open shot, A1 throws the ball across the back of the cage to A2.

The 22 Set (If M1 Alley Dodges) If M1 has done his job and drawn a slide, A1 should first look toe the crease for either A3 or M3, then he can try a skip pass to M2 for a re-dodge on the backside. If none of those are available, he should move the ball to A2 at “X”. The 22 Set (If M1 Alley Dodges)

The 22 Set: Execution If A1 Throws To A2 If A1 throws to A2, A3 and M3 again work to find space if they are open for a feed from A2. M2 rolls over to the ball-side to act as an outlet and potential open shot. A2 has the option to either feed A3 or M3 on the crease, M2 if he is open for a shot or a chance for a re-dodge. And finally A2 can re-dodge himself.

The 22 Set (If A1 Throws to A2) If A1 throws to A2, then A2 can feed M3 or A3 on the crease, he can look to M2 for the shot or the re-dodge, or he can re-dodge himself. The 22 Set (If A1 Throws to A2)

The 22 Set: Execution If M1 Throws Back To M2 Sometimes A1 is covered on the initial dodge and M1 cannot throw the ball to this player. In this scenario, M1 has to “roll back” away from pressure and throw to M2. In this instance, A3 and M3 “re-cut” if they are opening looking for a feed from M2. M2 can pass to A3 or M3 for a shot on the crease. Or M2 can “re-dodge down the backside.

The 22 Set (If M1 Throws to M2) If M2 receives a pass from M1 on the roll-back, then he should look to feed M3 or A3 on the crease, or he can look to re-dodge and shoot. If that happens, the offense is already balanced and ready to be re-set. The 22 Set (If M1 Throws to M2)

The 22 Set: Execution If M1 Sweeps If M1 sweeps across the top instead of “down the side” on the initial dodge, then M2 “cuts through” and all of the following movements are the same.

A1 A2 A3 M3 M1 M2 The 22 Set (If M1 Sweeps)

The 22 Set (If M1 Sweeps)

Execution (Attack Dodging) The 22 Set: Execution Attack Dodging Execution (Attack Dodging) The 22 can be initiated by M1 or M2, but it can also be initiated by A1 or A2. In both attack dodging scenarios, the off-ball movement is an inverted version of the off-ball movement used during the midfield dodge.

A1 A2 A3 M3 M1 M2 The 22 Set (A1 Dodging)

If A1 dodges and cannot turn the corner he has looks to M1, M3 and A3 on the crease, or he can roll back and use his outlet, A2, at X. The 22 Set (A1 Dodging)

The 22 Set: Execution If A1 Throws To M1 If A1 throws to M1, M1 looks into the crease at M3 and A3, otherwise he moves it to the back side to M2 for the re-dodge or feed.

The 22 Set (If A1 Throws to M1) If A1 throws ahead to M1, then M1 looks into the crease for M3 and A3, otherwise he moves the ball to M2 on the backside for the re-dodge. When M2 receives the pass from M1, he should look directly to the crease for M3 and A3, otherwise he should re-dodge down the back side looking for his shot. The 22 Set (If A1 Throws to M1)

The 22 Set: Execution If A1 Throws To A2 If A1 throws back to A2, then A2 should push the backside looking to feed A3 and M3 on the crease. If neither A3 or M3 is open, A2 should push for his shot and then use M2 as his outlet.

The 22 Set (A1 Dodges and Throws Back to A2)

A2 receives the backside pass from A2 and then pushes the backside looking to the crease for M3 and A3 or back up top to A2. The 22 Set (A2 Re-dodges)

The 22 Set: Final Thoughts This is an extremely well balanced offense. Dodges around the outside do not unbalance the offense too much. Crease positioning and movement is key here. Whether they are positioned flat, or high low, confusing the slide is the goal. The player nearest the ball should fade or curl away, while the player furthest from the ball should curl toward it.